Immigrant Rights News

Immigrant Rights News is posted from 1 to 5 times a week, and is for educational purposes only.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Join the civil resistance against SB1070! Free Salvador Reza!

Puente leader Salvador Reza arrested without cause.

Free Sal Now.

A leader of human rights was wrongfully arrested today [Friday, July 30, 2010]. Salvador Reza is being held by Maricopa County Sheriff Arpaio as a political prisoner in Arizona. Sign the petition that says, "I Stand with Sal. Free Him Now."

Today, Sheriff Arpaio responded to continued acts of non-compliance by targeting and arresting human rights organizer and leader of the Phoenix-based Puente Movement, Salvador Reza.

Reza was getting in his car outside a rally across the street from the Sheriff's jail when several Sheriff deputies surrounded him and placed him in handcuffs without cause.

Previous and unrelated to Reza's arrest, 10+ people of conscience placed themselves in front of a caravan of Sheriff vans to block them from carrying out another raid in the community. Protestors chanted "Arrest Arpaio, Not the People" and "Not One More."

If you're in the Phoenix area, join Puente Movement outside the jail at 35th ave & Lower Buckeye. If you're outside the area, text "Arizona" to 50555 to donate $5 to the bail fund or click, http://bit.ly/azdonate

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Direct report from Phoenix: Civil resistance Takes the Streets

NNIRR interviewed Christian Ramirez, National Coordinator of the American Friends Service Committee

, by phone. Christian is in Phoenix, Arizona, taking part in the national day of action against SB1070, Arizona's anti-immigrant racial profiling law (July 29,2010):

What are some of the highlights of the day so far?

Christian Ramirez: The first thing we have noticed is that no one is celebrating yesterday's court ruling.

Earlier this morning more than 300 people blocked the entrance to the MaricopaCounty jail here in Phoenix. The protesters were met with a big show of force. Some 60 MC Sheriffs fully-dress in riot gear confronted the protest and dispersed those assembled.

45 have been reported arrested; among them community leaders in the Puente Movement, Salvador Reza and Tupak Enrique of Tonatierra and a member of the Universalist Unitarian Church

Now there are about 500 people already gathered here in Cesar E. Chavez plaza in Phoenix and the organizers expect more to come.

Another march is taking place at 4:00 pm today.

What is quite palpable is the climate of tension with a lot resistance.

And no one here, the human rights activists, is celebrating the court ruling.

Those leading the mobilization are saying that SB1070 in its totality grossly violates human rights and the U.S. Constitution. Just because sine parts of the law are being implemented and others blocked represents a partial victory in courts but it does not mean a partial victory for people there.

There is quite a m

ood of resistance here in Phoenix; quite similar to the mood of resistance in April when SB1070 was first approved.

While the turn out is smaller than in April it is still early in the day and a larger rally is expected to take place in the afternoon.

What are people asking us who are not in Phoenix or Arizona to do to rollback SB1070?

The movement here is taking action saying: We will not comply with the law and our civil resistance will continue until 1070 is defeated.

They are declaring loudly that the partial ruling won’t make any dents in the anti-immigrant sentiment in Phoenix, which people have been suffering for a long time now.

We are receiving reports of protests and civil disobedience in Los Angeles, Boston, and other parts with rallies and civil disobedience.

Here poeple are making clear that yesterday’s ruling does not translate into favorable changes for communities. The ruling is a small step but a very small step and protests should continue.

Justice was not served by yesterday’s ruling.

Coming here, I was expecting different mood, a little more jovial mood about the ruling. But that's not the case.

People are upset and there’s a mood of resistance. Do not be fooled about yesterday – this is the message we’re hearing over and over again.

*

To read NNIRR's initial reaction to the court ruling against SB1070, clickhere.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

NNIRR, the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, invites you to take action against SB1070, Arizona's anti-immigrant racial profiling hate law. Clickhereto raise your voice against anti-immigrant hate laws and demand justice and human rights from any place in the country or world.

Here are the key websites for information and connections to campaigns and work specifically against SB-1070, Arizona's anti-immigrant racial profiling law:

BACKGROUND: Opposition has sparked across the state of Arizona and the country to defeat SB1070 and any policies that further criminalize people and separate families. We know that if SB1070 is not stopped in Arizona now, similar laws will spread throughout the country. In North Carolina, legislators are considering an Arizona like bill.

In May of this year, Senate Joint Resolution SJ1349 was introduced in the NC Senate. The federal government needs adopt a comprehensive immigration reform that will not only protect American jobs, but will also lead to a path to citizenship for the close to 12 million undocumented people in our country. An enforcement only approach is unreasonable and will not solve the root causes of undocumented immigration. A comprehensive approach from the federal government is the answer.

As a state that has led the civil rights movement in the 60’s, it us up to North Carolina to set an example for the rest of the nation and say, this is not acceptable. This law can only terrorize communities if the federal government cooperates with it. We demand that the Obama Administration take decisive action and not comply with Arizona’s SB1070. We as North Carolinians, stand firm in our belief that “an injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere”.

WHAT: A march to protest racial profiling and discrimination against immigrant and minority communities

WHEN: July 29 at 5 p.m.

WHERE: Gathering at Nash Square, at the corner of Dawson and Hargett, to march through downtown Raleigh to the State Capitol

RALEIGH (July 29) -- Concerned North Carolinians will hold a march and rally in downtown Raleigh on July 29 to protest racial profiling and discrimination against immigrant and minority communities.

The event is part of a national day of action against the enactment of the Arizona law SB 1070, which mandates that all local police and sheriffs demand documents from people they suspect might be in the state without authorization. The marchers will gather at 5 p.m. at Nash Square (the corner of Dawson and Hargett in Raleigh) and walk to the State Capitol for a rally.

SB 1070, or the “Arizona Law,” requires that all law enforcement agencies determine the immigration status of a person if there is “reasonable suspicion” that the person is unlawfully present. Under this law, people who look “foreign” can be targeted for minor infractions – having a broken taillight or jaywalking – and then asked for proof of legal status. U.S. citizens and legal residents who “look like” foreigners could be at risk of arrest and deportation if they cannot produce acceptable forms of identification to verify their immigration status.

While North Carolina has not passed similar legislation, racial profiling continues to be a serious concern across our state. Currently in North Carolina, at least 29 county and local law enforcement agencies are participating in either the 287(g) or "Secure Communities" programs, which are partnerships between local law enforcement and ICE (Immigration Customs and Enforcement).

These programs focus on identifying and apprehending immigrants who may be in the country without authorization, resulting in the arrest and deportation of undocumented people after they have been arrested for minor violations. This has led to the widespread fracturing of families and created a climate of heightened fear in our communities.

On July 29, the marchers will call on state and federal officials to stop unfair treatment of immigrants and to work for a just immigration policy that includes compassion for those who are trying to overcome poverty and political oppression. Participating groups oppose racial profiling in Arizona, North Carolina and throughout the country. The marchers seek laws that are inclusive and respect the dignity of all human beings.

“From Arizona to North Carolina: March for Immigrant Justice” is being organized by NC ICE Watch in partnership with Black Workers for Justice, the Fr. Charlie Mulholland Catholic Worker House, NC DREAM Team, NC Justice Center, the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, Pueblo Unido, the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Student Action with Farmworkers and community leaders.

National Day of Action against SB 1070 Law: March Across the BrooklynBridge

Thursday, July 29th

9:30am Gather at CadmanPlaza, Brooklyn

(take A/C trains to High Street, OR 2/3/4/5/R trains to Borough Hall)

10:00am March across BrooklynBridge

11:00am Press Conference & Rally at Foley Square in Manhattan

(take 4/5 to BrooklynBridge OR N/R/W to City Hall)

Why We Are Marching:

We stand in solidarity with the people of AZ against the inhumane and unjust law SB1070

We oppose Arizona-like laws that have spread throughout the nation, including right here in NYC

We condemn racial profiling in all forms as exemplified by SB1070 and moreover we denounce the racism that underlies these laws

Our Demands:

1) We want humane legalization for all, not a “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” that creates more Arizonas through harsh enforcement policies like 287g, border militarization, and increased deportations.

MIRA will host a news conference on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at Noon in Room 113 at the Mississippi State Capitol. Please call the MIRA office at (601) 968- 5182 for more information.

8. Rhode Island

Rhode Island joins National Day of Action against Arizona's SB1070

Community presents demands to Gubernatorial Candidates

Thursday, July 29 is the official date for the implementation of SB1070 in Arizona.

Around the country and in Latin America, there are plans for protests and resistance.

In Rhode Island, various organizations are planning a rally to show solidarity with the people of Arizona and at the same time, pressure candidates for Governor to commit to a different future for Rhode Island.

The event starts with a brief rally at 4:30 in the park behind the Armory (between Cranston and Westminster Streets, in Dexter Park) in Providence. At the end of the rally, people will have the chance to review the responses that the candidates have submitted to a series of questions and demands, such as:

commit to veto and to speak against any “copycat” of Arizona's SB1070

order the DMV to accept government ID from other countries in order to receive a license

prohibit police from asking for ID from people without cause

support “In-State Tuition” through which graduates of RI high schools are charged the same tuition whether they have papers or not, and

rescind the executive order

“We are against the criminalization of our communities, whether they are Latino, Asian, or African American, and we also oppose the attempt to attack the citizenship of the children of immigrants, as is happening in Arizona,” said Marlon Cifuentes, organizer with English in Action.

In Front of the Federal Courthouse, on the corner of 18th and old Hwy 83 in McAllen, TX

1:30PM, Wednesday, July 28, 2010

How does the Rio GrandeValley weigh in with enforcement programs that rely on racial profiling and apprehensions in a race to rock bottom for Human Rights?

Southwest Workers’ Union will hold a press conference in front of the Federal Courthouse to issue a statement about the Federal Court hearings that put into question the legality of SB1070 in Arizona. Community members rally and vigil for Arizona and against racist enforcement programs because the Rio GrandeValley comes in 3rd place in apprehensions (2008), behind San Diego, CA (second place) and Tucson, AZ which of course is in first place.

During our press conference we will announce our participation in events on July 29th, 2010, in accordance with Puente Arizona’s call for an International Day of Non-Compliance (don’t consume, don’t comply) during which nation-wide and internationally there will be events to demonstrate against the racist SB1070. We call for peace in our communities and an end to the discrimination and violence against im/migrants.

2PM- Spiritual Fast and Boycott against SB1070: convene to celebrate the fast and boycott by gathering in front of the Basilica de San Juan in San Juan, TX (400 N. Virgen de San Juan Blvd. San Juan, Texas 78589

Sponsored by Southwest Workers’Union and Redes Ciudadanas of Texas.

* (We will also be supporting LUPE at 10AM for the “Vigil Against SB1070,” Corner of Cesar Chavez Road and Business 83 in San Juan, TX 78589.)

Background Info: Solicitor General Edwin Kneedler is in Arizona. He is challenging SB 1070, a Jim Crowe law that would make police arrest and prosecute people suspected of not having papers. Â SB1070 will be implemented on Thursday, July 29.

The Justice Department has argued the law oversteps constitutional bounds by creating a parallel immigration system that threatens the federal one and interfering with foreign relations.

According to the Migration Policy Institute website, five of the nine Southwest sectors accounted for 88.4 percent (640,198) of all border apprehensions. And Tucson, AZ accounted for more Border Patrol apprehensions in 2008 than any other sector. The Rio Grande Valley, Texas (10%) rated 3rd place with Tucson, Arizona in first place (44%); and San Diego, Californiain second place (22%) regarding the most apprehensions in 2008.

Arizona was the premiere state partner in a Homeland Security program called 287(g), which since 2002 has made it okay for local law enforcement to ask about papers and detain immigrants without criminal charge. As a consequence, local police in the nation have detained thousands of im/migrants. During the hearing Kneedler argued that SB 1070 is an unconstitutional departure from the course they set.

11. SAN FRANCISCO, CA

JOIN THE SF DAY LABOR PROGRAM AND THE WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AND RALLY TO INSIST THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL JERRY BROWN ALLOW SAN FRANCISCO TO OPT-OUT OF THE "S-COMM" PROGRAM!!

S-COMM is an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) program that operates within the criminal justice system and which allows state and local law enforcement to automatically provide information to ICE of anybody who is arrested, no matter how minor the charge. In April 2009, the California Department of Justice signed an agreement with ICE, which activatedCalifornia's participation in the program. Although S-COMM is a voluntary program, Attorney General Jerry Brown has prohibited San Francisco from not participating. Our "Sanctuary Law" has in effect been obliterated !

San Diego, CA – On Wednesday, July 28, 2010 the Raza Rights Coalition and its member collectives will be organizing a protest in front of the FederalBuilding located in downtown San Diego. This action is a response from people in San Diego to the call for solidarity and national protests that numerous organizations in Arizona have made at the national level.

“If the judge responsible for considering the two lawsuits against SB 1070 delivers on Wednesday a decision in favor of the new law, it will give the green light to the nine other states that have already announced their intention to introduce similar legislation like the law in Arizona.” So states Adriana Jasso, coordinator of the Raza Rights Coalition. Actions to denounce and repudiate SB 1070 are urgent in order to ensure that the massage of the organized communities will be heard throughout the country.

A racist and repressive environment will not win the battle against the struggles of community based organizations that have for years worked to win dignity and human rights. This invitation is for all people to unite with this call for solidarity against SB 1070. United we can become one voice against racism and repression.

This action of solidarity will start at 5PM, on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at: